If you don't like car talk, don't read this...

[reprobayt]

Thanks to the dynamic duo of mfree and jasiri177 (thank you) - I think I know what the problem with the Shadow is.

By reading the engine codes, I believe I need an oxygen sensor. That would explain the lack of power lately and the intermittent stalling yesterday.

Which begs the questions - how much to replace an oxygen sensor? And can I do it? The part itself is about 40 - 60 dollars - who knows about the labor....

Comments

[ex-thevault297.livejournal.com]

Remember: Google is God.

Background about oxygen sensors: http://www.autoshop-online.com/cchtml/emis.ox.sens.html

A guy who replaced his himself: http://www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/o2sensor/o2sensor.html

Aren't you glad you no longer have to deal with stuff like this?

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Bless you.

:)

Re: Aren't you glad you no longer have to deal with stuff like this?

[ex-thevault297.livejournal.com]

Always remember, never forget -- if an English-speaking person has done it even once, it's probably written about online somewhere. Google is the key.

/miss ya.

[canela.livejournal.com]

O2 sensors are extremely easy to do yourself.

http://www.allpar.com/eek/o2.html

I wouldn't be all that put off by those two guys, but since I didn't change the O2 sensor on that car, I know it's been an awful long time since it's needed one. It may be seized in and require some working... just get a can of PB Blaster. I personally wouldn't pay a shop to do it for you... they usually charge on average $50-70/hr for labor alone.

We could make an event of it.

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

*wishes you guys were close enough to bribe with gas money, alcohol and pizza to do this and help me learn this stuff (including why the horn doesn't work)...*

LJ Auto Fix 2004!

Re: We could make an event of it.

[canela.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

Actually, I drove to Clarksville, TN a few months ago to help a fellow LJer fix her car - a Dodge at that ;o)

If you have problems, let me know. Both of us are sickenly up for longer drives it seems - and my Saturn gets great gas mileage.

I think I'm having another one of my brilliant ideas.

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Hmm...

Not a bad idea...

All we'd need is a central place for you guys to work on cars and enough people to make it worth it financially (profit, gas, food, lodging up to the standing of a couple of wise mechanics as yourself).

Change plugs, sensors, things that simple yet beyond many people's expertise....like me.

*raises eyebrow*

Any plans next weekend?

:)

Re: We could make an event of it.

[mightywombat.livejournal.com]

The only problem I have ever had with the horns in my cars (all Toyotas, but my dad had a similar problem in his VW Beetle) is that the horn actually rusts and won't make a good tone anymore. If you're not inclined to use your horn on a regular basis, and if this is an older car, then it might get moisture in it and lack of regular use, and therefore vibration, will allow rust to build up.

Hit it with a hammer. Seriously. Don't just wail on it, but give it a tap with a hammer and see if that fixes the tone. If it's really badly rusted you might have to replace it, but that's probably about as easy as changing a lightbulb. Unhook the old one, dismount it, mount the new horn and wire it up. You might also consider spraying some rust preventer in there once you've got it honking again, though I don't know how that might affect the internal workings of the horn itself...

Hope this helps!

[copycatjsh.livejournal.com]

I think mine has gone bad too. Wanna do this together sometime?

-jsh

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Yours first. :)

Maybe we can bribe one of our car friends into doing it with a wealth of beer and pizza.

[ocean-song.livejournal.com]

Hey now hon. If someone offers to help you out, you say YES!!!

Good luck with getting it all taken care of, with a minimum of fuss! Glad you have things diagnosed.

[eternalredneck.livejournal.com]

If the O2 sensor is anywhere, it would probably be on teh exhast manifold between the catalytic converter and the engine somewhere. It own't be that hard to replace, but it might be a bitch to get to. If ya need any help, lemme know.

ERTV

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Thanks...

My car days are behind me...no tools and haven't been fingerdeep in an engine for longer than I care to discuss.

[ladysilverlark.livejournal.com]

You might want to find out how in portant that oxyen sensor is. My mom escort wagon has one that keeps going out due to a short in the wirering, not cheap labor but not nesary to the performance of the car.